Welcome to The Legal Beat, your essential weekly newsletter from Billboard Pro, designed to keep you informed about significant legal developments in the music industry, including major cases, crucial rulings, and entertaining tidbits.

This week’s highlights include Jay-Z’s vigorous legal response to serious rape allegations, Drake referencing Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance in his ongoing legal battle, and Cardi B securing a structured repayment plan from a bankrupt gossip blogger, among other noteworthy stories.

Jay-Z Takes Legal Action to Defend His Reputation

In December, an unnamed woman accused Jay-Z of involvement in one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged sexual assaults, which sent shockwaves through the entertainment community. The gravity of the situation was heightened by the allegation that the accuser was only 13 years old at the time of the purported incident. This accusation added a new layer to the already extensive claims surrounding the hip-hop mogul, further complicating his public image and personal life.

However, just under three months later, the accusations against Jay-Z were mysteriously dropped without any official explanation or settlement. In response, the global superstar has proactively filed his own lawsuit aimed at fully exonerating himself from these damaging claims and restoring his reputation.

In a lawsuit lodged in Alabama’s federal court, Jay-Z accused the Jane Doe plaintiff and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, of orchestrating an “evil conspiracy” to extort a settlement from him through what he describes as “false and malicious” rape allegations. Significantly, the new lawsuit asserts that the accuser had “voluntarily admitted” to Jay-Z’s team that he did not assault her, and it alleges that Buzbee “pressured” her into making those accusations.

“Mr. Carter does not commence this action lightly,” his legal counsel stated. “However, the extortion and abuse directed at Mr. Carter by the Doe and her legal team must come to an end.”

For those interested in the complete details, you can read the full story here, which includes access to the actual lawsuit filed by Jay-Z’s attorneys in court.

Weekly Roundup of Noteworthy Legal Developments in Music

SWIFT LEGAL ACTION – Just two weeks following Kendrick Lamar’s electrifying Super Bowl performance, Drake’s legal team referenced the halftime show in court filings related to their defamation lawsuit against UMG over Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The attorneys presented the performance as evidence of the ongoing damage that Drake continues to endure while the case remains unresolved. The strategy proved effective: the federal judge overseeing the case sided with Drake and denied UMG’s request to delay an initial hearing.

DEFAMATION REPAYMENT PLAN – Gossip blogger Tasha K reached an agreement in bankruptcy court to repay Cardi B more than $1 million in manageable installments over the next five years. This structured repayment plan is crucial for addressing a staggering $3.9 million defamation ruling in favor of Cardi, stemming from outrageous allegations about drug use, STDs, and prostitution. Under the current agreement, Tasha will still owe the remaining balance after completing the repayment plan and is prohibited from making any “derogatory, disparaging, or defamatory statements” regarding Cardi during this period.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUIT AGAINST LILES – Kevin Liles, the CEO of 300 Entertainment, is facing a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed and raped an unnamed executive assistant while he was the general manager at Def Jam Recordings in the early 2000s. Liles has categorically denied these “outrageous claims,” asserting his intention to “fully clear my name” and file a defamation lawsuit against both the accuser and her legal representatives.

FRAUD CASE AGAINST GRACELAND SCAMMER – A woman from Missouri, Lisa Jeanine Findley, has pleaded guilty to a bizarre scheme to defraud Elvis Presley’s family by attempting to auction off his Graceland mansion. Prosecutors revealed that Findley falsely claimed that Presley’s daughter had pledged the property as collateral for a loan before her death. She then threatened to sell Graceland to the highest bidder if Presley’s family did not pay her $2.85 million. Following her guilty plea, Findley is set to be sentenced on June 18, facing a maximum prison term of 20 years.

DRAKE AND IHEARTMEDIA REACH LEGAL RESOLUTION – Drake and iHeartMedia have come to a settlement to resolve a legal dispute alleging that iHeart received illegal payments from UMG to enhance the radio airplay for Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” This preliminary action led Drake to file a defamation lawsuit against UMG last fall. In a statement to Billboard, the radio network affirmed that it had agreed to share documents demonstrating that no wrongdoing had occurred and that neither party had made any illicit payments.

CONTINUING LEGAL BATTLE FOR A$AP ROCKY – Just over a week after A$AP Rocky was acquitted of criminal charges related to the shooting of former friend A$AP Relli, a Los Angeles judge lifted a hold on Relli’s civil lawsuit against Rocky. As reported by Rolling Stone, Rocky’s attorney argued during a hearing that the recent not guilty verdict had eliminated the basis for the civil case. However, Relli’s legal counsel remains resolute, stating, “The standard in a criminal case is much higher than … in a civil matter. We still believe that our claims have merit and we intend on fully litigating them.”

YOUNG THUG SETTLES TOURING DISPUTE – Young Thug and concert promoter AEG have quietly settled a multi-million dollar legal dispute stemming from a touring partnership that went awry. The lawsuit, initially filed in 2020 but delayed for years due to Thug’s high-profile criminal proceedings, claimed he owed over $5 million under a 2017 touring agreement and was required to relinquish some of his music rights to address that debt. The resolution comes as Thug prepares to return to the concert stage following a plea deal that concluded his lengthy legal troubles in Atlanta.